Western SLOVAKIA

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Christmas concert – The Slovak Chamber Orchestra (SKO) Bohdan Warchal, led by Ewald Danel, and the Adoremus choir give a concert in one of the dominants of the Slovak capital, the St Martin Cathedral, with the Christmas-themed works of Jozef Halmo, A. Corelli and F. Gruber. Starts: Dec 26, 15:00; St Martin Cathedral. Admission: €5 (in advance). More info: www.citylife.sk.

Bratislava

THEATRE/BALLET: Carmen à la Gypsy Devils –The famous work by George Bizet, Carmen, has got a new form thanks to the adaptation by Ernest Šarközy and the performance by the Gypsy Devils band, the ballet of the Slovak National Theatre (SND) and CreDance group. The famous tunes by G. Bizet will all be sung in the Roma language. Starts: Dec 26, 19:00, Dec 30, 17:00; historical building of the SND, Hviezdoslavovo Square 1. Admission: €14-€39. Tel: 02/2049-4290 or www.snd.sk.

SPORT: Traditional ascent of Devínska Nová Ves inhabitants and visitors to the Devínska Kobyla hill offers a chance for every participant who makes it all the way to the top to receive a commemorative souvenir. Starts: Dec 31, 9:00; in front of Istracentrum, Hradištná 43, DNV. More info: www.inba.sk.

EXHIBITION: Ondřej Michálek Cesta z bodu A do bodu A / The Way from A Point to A Point – The exhibition of Czech artists curated by Jana Šindelová shows the ways and labyrinths of modern-era humans. Open: Tue-Sun 14:00-19:00 until January 17; Gallery 19, Lazaretská 19. Admission: free. Tel: 02/5292-6651; www.galeria19.sk.

WINTER OUTDOOR SWIMMING: The New Year’s Eve will be marked by a traditional winter swimming event, plus baptising and introducing new members of the Tučniaky Žilina club. Starts: Jan 1. More info: www.tucniakyzilina.szm.com.

Eastern SLOVAKIA

Košice

CHRISTMAS/BALLET: The Nutcracker / Luskáčik – The beautiful fairytale-turned-ballet to the music of Tchaikovsky marks the holiday season in the State Theatre Košice (SDKE), as choreographed and directed by Ondrej Šoth and conducted by Miloslav Janíček and Igor Dohovič. Starts: Dec 26, 27, 16:00; SDKE, Hlavná 58. Admission: €2-€4. Tel: 055/2452-269 (daytime), 055/2452-260 (evenings); www.sdke.sk.